My new camera arrived. I finally got a chance to use it this a.m. for this post. It's just a little point and shoot Fuji Fine Pix. This is the third Fine Pix I've owned. I've loved them all and the only reason I've had to replace any of them is because they have been dropped, or carelessly used (canoe accidents). I like this camera because it will accept two AA batteries. It eats them, but I can always pack extra batteries and I won't have to worry about finding an electrical outlet for charging. I also like the non-touch screen menu. I'm satisfied with the photos that my cell phone takes, but the touch screen is hard to see in bright light and doesn't respond quickly enough for me. I (hurriedly) shot lots of photos today , but the image below was my favorite. One day, I may finally upgrade to a digital SLR, but for now, I like the portability, size, and ease of use of this fine pix. I love the color aqua. You can find this color throughout my home in sea glass, weather-worn stones, canning jars, kitchen cabinets, and a few other places.Taken with Fine Pix AX300, auto corrected in Photoshop and then played with in Piknik

Next week, look for H.O.T. Diggedy Dog. On the first Tuesday of every month, I'll feature a photo of one my dogs.

This is the first of a regular weekly (hopefully) blog feature in which I will post a photo or two and minimal words about objects around my home, garden, or studio. These items may be things I like, flowers in bloom, or just may have struck me as photo-worthy at the time. My motivation for doing this exercise is to better both my photo-taking and photo-editing skills, as well as force myself into more regular blog postings. With fewer words than my usual ramblings, I'm hoping to meet this goal. Some photos will be taken with my cell phone, and others with my regular camera (which had to be replaced and I am still awaiting arrival of new one). I still aim to do Fabulous Friday posts, and when my life will allow, other postings about my art. Of late, there has been no time for the artistic side of me, so I apologize for my sporadic and scarce postings. Here's my favorite reading corner:

We all like to go home.For me, there are two homes: my physical home on the coast of Alabama, and the home that lives in my heart- the North Carolina mountains, specifically my hometown of Asheville and the Boone area. The coast and the mountains pit themselves against each other like two suitors vying for attention. Both have their strong points, but the mountains pull me in, stir me, and seduce with their "Come live with me..." whispers. Our family is fortunate to have a tiny little cabin in NC (more like a glorified tent since there is no plumbing or electricity). We pack up the kids and make the oh-god-when-will-we-ever-get-there twelve hour drive to NC about two or three times a year. We just spent a week hiking, kayaking, visiting, chillin', and for me, mosaicing. It was a great trip and I was very inspired by the usual birds, butterflies, and beauty, but was unable to take any photos after a canoe/camera mishap and cell phone charging issue. On the way out of the mountains, we stopped at a little roadside tourist trap. This place literally hangs off the side of a cliff and has been there as long as I can remember (more than forty years), yet we've never stopped. But this time we did. We succumbed to the charms of overpriced items and found ourselves absolutely trapped and skinned alive. Mountain honey, stick candy, a birdhouse, blackberry syrup, pottery, and pork rinds are some of the items that hitched a ride back to Alabama's not-so-welcoming 102 degree heat. My cell phone was charged by this time, and I had been having photo-withdrawal shakes during the trip, so I went a little photo crazy. Below are just a few photos. Some were taken with the newly discovered "Vignette" app on my Droid, and some were doctored a little with Picnik. Now that my little point and shoot has finally bitten the dust, I'm really wanting to upgrade to a better camera...

Ahhh, it's good to be home. Kind of. Here's to another Fabulous Friday, wherever you are.